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🎅 Santa, pantos & Christmas events for children in Cardiff (2026)

Cardiff goes all out at Christmas: the lights, the Christmas market and Winter Wonderland round the castle and City Hall usually open in mid-November, Bute Park glows with a light trail, and the New Theatre panto and the Sherman’s lovely shows for little ones run into January. Book skating, Santa at the castle and the shows for under-sevens early, as they sell out weeks ahead.

Christmas events in and around Cardiff

  • Cardiff's Winter Wonderland
    📅 Thu 12 Nov – Sun 3 Jan · Daily from late morning to 10pm (closed 25 and 26 Dec)
    Santa & Christmas · Cardiff city centre

    Undercover ice rink with a novice rink for little skaters, an ice walk, a giant wheel and a family fairground across two city-centre sites.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Cardiff Christmas Market
    📅 Thu 12 Nov – Wed 23 Dec · Mon-Sat 10am-6pm (Thu in Dec till 7pm), Sun 10am-5pm
    Santa & Christmas · Cardiff city centre · Free

    Wooden chalets full of Welsh crafts and festive food wind round the streets by St John's Church, a lovely free wander after seeing the lights.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Christmas at Bute Park light trail
    📅 Thu 19 Nov – Thu 31 Dec · Timed entry from 4.15pm
    Santa & Christmas · Cardiff city centre

    An after-dark trail of glowing lights and music through Bute Park, right behind the castle, with festive food along the way.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Pinocchio
    📅 Mon 23 Nov – Sat 2 Jan
    Shows, theatre & panto · Cathays

    A cosy new Christmas version of Pinocchio made just for under-sevens, with separate performances in English and Welsh.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • The Merry Adventures of Maid Marian
    📅 Fri 27 Nov – Sat 2 Jan
    Shows, theatre & panto · Cathays

    The Sherman's festive show for older children, a lively Robin Hood romp with Maid Marian in charge.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • The Royal Mint Christmas Experience
    📅 Sat 28 Nov – Wed 23 Dec · Selected dates and times (closed some Mondays and Tuesdays)
    Santa & Christmas · Llantrisant

    A 50-minute festive visit with a show and a meeting with Santa, and every child goes home with a limited-edition teddy.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Beauty and the Beast (pantomime)
    📅 Sat 5 Dec – Sun 3 Jan
    Shows, theatre & panto · Cathays Park

    Cardiff's big traditional panto, with Gethin Jones back for more slapstick, songs and booing the baddie.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Visit Santa at the Castle
    📅 Sat 5 Dec – Wed 23 Dec · 5, 6, 12, 13 and 19-23 Dec, slots 10am-4.20pm
    Santa & Christmas · Cardiff city centre

    A treasure hunt through the castle's decorated rooms ends with a small-group visit to Santa, where each child chooses a gift.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Post your letter to Father Christmas
    📅 Sat 5 Dec – Sun 13 Dec · 5, 6, 12 & 13 Dec, 10.30am-1pm and 2-3.30pm
    Santa & Christmas · St Fagans · Free

    Bring your letter to Wales' smallest post office, where the postmaster stamps it to reach the North Pole in time.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Storytime with Babis Bach Babies
    📅 Sat 5 Dec · 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm
    Storytime & library events · Cathays Park

    A bilingual Welsh, English and BSL Christmas story time built around Dear Santa, with live music. Listed as fully booked, so check for returns.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Decorate Your Own Christmas Cookies
    📅 Sat 5 Dec – Sun 3 Jan · Selected weekends and holiday dates, 11am and 2pm
    Workshops & crafts · Cathays Park

    Each child decorates three Christmas biscuits in the museum café to eat there or take home, and grown-ups get a free hot drink.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Carols in the Chapel at St Fagans
    📅 Sat 5 Dec – Sun 20 Dec · 5, 6, 12, 13, 19 and 20 Dec at 11am, 1pm or 3pm
    Santa & Christmas · St Fagans

    A festive sing-along of traditional and modern carols in an 18th-century chapel, with sessions in Welsh or English. Pushchairs have to stay outside.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Matilda the Musical
    📅 Wed 9 Dec – Sun 17 Jan
    Shows, theatre & panto · Cardiff Bay

    The RSC's much-loved Matilda is this year's big Christmas show in Cardiff Bay. It runs about 2 hours 35 minutes and suits ages 6 and up.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking

Know one that’s missing? It takes a minute, and we check each one before it goes on the map. Add an event

Tips from people who’ve been

  • Book Santa early: the best grotto times often sell out by mid-November.
  • Check what’s included: a gift, a photo, a craft or a story, and whether grown-ups pay too.
  • Ask about quiet or relaxed sessions if loud music, crowds or queues are hard for your child.
  • Weekday visits and the first slot of the day are usually calmer than weekends.
  • Pantos often have relaxed and signed performances: look for them when you book.

Warm indoor places near Cardiff for a cold day

Within 20 km: Soft play: 7 · Museum & attraction: 20 · Swimming & leisure: 14 · Trampoline & inflatable park: 4 · Cinema: 7

Other places

Christmas with children 2026: Santa, pantos and lights · See everything on the map